Act V/Scene I

In this play, Act V is the only act to consist of one scene (while all the others consist of two). Despite this, the act is fairly long.

Plot

 * Theseus and Hippolyta had come back to Athens with Helena, Hermia, Lysander and Demetrius at the end of Act IV. Now, the two argue about whether these loves are true or not. While Theseus says that the love between these pairs is "more strange than true", Hippolyta says that it might be strange, but it is admirable.


 * Soon, Lysander, Demetrius, Hermia and Helena enter the scene. Theseus tells them to enjoy these times.

END OF THE PLOT OF THE PLAY
 * Theseus complains about no revel being held at the time between after-supper and bedtime, so he calls Philostrate. As he asks him questions about which play would be the best for such an enjoyable time, Lysander gives some ideas too. Even though Theseus does not accept most of the ideas just because they are sad or tragic, they do manage to find a play for the revel. Coincidentally, this play is performed by Bottom and his group of actors.
 * Philostrate tries to protest it first, as he thinks that it is too vulgar to be performed in the palace. However, Theseus insists on "hearing this play" and he "cannot have anything amiss". As a result, the play is accepted and the Prologue (who is Quince) enters the scene (play in a play).
 * After the Prologue introduces the play and gives a little summary of it, Theseus tells his thoughts about him to Lysander and Hippolyta. He says that his speech "was like a tangled chain: nothing impaired, but all disordered." Then he calls the next actors, who are soon revealed to be Pyramus, Thisbe, Wall, Moonshine and Lion (Note: As "Thisbe" is always mentioned as "Thisby" in Bottom's group, this is the first time for the reader to learn that the woman's actual name is "Thisbe").
 * When the other actors enter the scene, the Prologue introduces them too. Then, as Theseus wonders whether the Lion will speak or not, the Wall starts speaking. He says that he is an obstacle which the lovers (Pyramus and Thisbe) have to whisper through.
 * As the two lovers speak to each other through the Wall, Pyramus tells Thisbe to meet him at Ninny's tomb.
 * Thisbe is the first one to come to the tomb. However, a Lion enters the scene and makes her run away (Note that the Lion too introduces himself). Meanwhile, the Moon and the Lanthorn are also in the scene to make up for decoration.
 * When Pyramus comes, the Lion exits the scene. Disappointedly, Pyramus cannot see Thisbe anywhere around the tomb. He gets so sad that he kills himself there. When Thisbe comes back, she sees that her very love has died and she becomes very sorry for that and tells him to speak. Unfortunately, all of her attempts to make him alive again end in failure. After this scene, the play ends (Notice how Theseus and his train criticize the play as it is being performed).
 * To do his job, Bottom tells Theseus that he will read the Epilogue. However, Theseus says that if all the characters in a play die, then there is no need for an excuse and he tells him not to read the Epilogue.
 * Then, Theseus says that it is a late night and tells the lovers to sleep (as in "The iron tongue of midnight hath told twelve. / Lovers to bed, 'tis almost fairy time." Finally, all of the people exit the scene.
 * Puck enters the scene. He tells his good wishes for Theseus's palace to the audience (as in "...not a mouse / Shall disturb this hallow'd house.") Then, Oberon and Titania enter the scene with their train. Oberon continues these wishes. Titania says that his song needs to be rehearsed in order to "sing and bless this place".
 * Oberon sings his song. Then, he and Titania exit the scene. Puck, being the only and last character to remain in the scene, tells his good wishes for the audience and tells the audience to forgive them if they had offences by any means.